An extensive,
top-to-bottom renovation by property
owner The Hotel Group
to all guestrooms and corridors, lobby, meeting space,
atrium, food and beverage outlets
and equipment is making the full-service hotel sparkle and guests smile

South Bend, Ind.
—
September 18, 2012 — The Hotel Group is living up to
its promise to make the DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend the "place to
be." As owner of the 298-room property, located at 123 N. St. Joseph
St., The
Hotel Group (THG) constructed a model guestroom that is now on display
in the
hotel lobby, and it's receiving rave reviews. Renderings of
enhancements to the
lobby, Baker's restaurant and atrium also are garnering praise by
guests, local
businesses and residents who have been frequenting the property.

The Hotel Group is a nationally recognized Top 40 hotel company with
expertise in owning and managing hotels in university markets such as
South
Bend. THG has a long track record of turning around distressed
properties and
making them profitable. The company is investing more than $8 million
in the former Marriott
property, giving it a clean-lined, chic, and contemporary facelift. A
vibrant
new restaurant concept, new business center, and added boardroom are
underway,
in addition to a1,500 square-foot Starbucks store with patio that will
be
added.

"The
transformation that is taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton South
Bend is
nothing short of remarkable," said General Manager Chris Johnson. "Our
model guestroom, featuring new carpeting, fabrics, and furnishings,
exudes
comfort and modern style, integrating natural
tones with pops of blue, gold and green reflective of the University of
Notre
Dame colors. Renovation progress to one of the two dedicated Hilton
HHonors
floors is complete, and room renovations will commence once the Notre
Dame
football season ends."

Remodeled
guest bathrooms are also part of the nine-story transformation,
featuring new
flooring, new vanities that feature back lit mirrors, upgraded terry
products,
amenities and more.

The design concept
for the DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend comes from Tracey Simpson,
owner of
Portland, Ore.-based IDEA (Innovative Designed Environments
Associates). Using
natural wood and stone throughout the property, Simpson is blending
historical
elements from South Bend with understated Notre Dame embellishments.
When
completed in Spring of 2013, the property will appeal to upscale
business and
leisure travelers, as well as University of Notre Dame students, guests
and alumni.

"The large,
two-story lobby is designed to be warm and welcoming," said Robert Lee,
THG Vice President and Principal. "Dramatic walls, a variety of
textures, subtle
nuances of color, ambient lighting, comfortable furnishings, a
food-and-beverage
pantry, and WiFi throughout will create a living room feel that anyone
visiting
South Bend will enjoy."

The existing
lobby gift shop will be converted into a business center and separate
boardroom. A portion of the atrium, which connects the hotel to the
150,441-square-foot 1st Source Bank building, will be home to the new
Baker's
restaurant, resulting in a complete transformation of the previous
Allie’s
American Grille space. Baker’s Restaurant will be a three-meal eatery
featuring
American cuisine with an expansive soup-and-salad bar.

"The
design theme for Bakers, short for Studebakers, will pay tribute to
South
Bend's famed classic automobile," Lee said, "as the city takes due
pride
as the manufacturing home of this classic car, once the
bread-and-butter of
South Bend in the 1950s to 1970s. The contemporary blueprint of Bakers
will
give a nod to the city's rich car history: booths will be upholstered
to mimic
cars of the 50s and 60s, hub caps will adorn a feature wall, artwork
will
showcase the automotive accessories, and the large central bar inspired
by a
classic 1950s gas station. It's a restaurant/lounge atmosphere that
everyone
will enjoy."

DoubleTree by Hilton is an international
collection of more than 250 upscale hotels in more than 200 cities, 15
countries and five continents. In recent years DoubleTree by Hilton has
reinvested more than $3 billion in amenities, services and style. The
Hilton
HHonors program enables members to earn both Points & Miles®
for stays at 3,750
hotels worldwide and airline miles with over 50 airline partners.

For more information
on the property transition, please contact Katherine Steed at (425)
248-2978.

Frequently
Asked Questions:

Q: Why is this hotel project
important to the city of South
Bend?

THG: The DoubleTree by
Hilton
South Bend is one of a select few full-service hotels in the city, and
the only
full-service meeting and event facility in downtown South Bend. Our
skywalk
connection to the Century Center convention complex is vital to
downtown
economics, and through this rebranding and renovation, we believe the
DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend will help revitalize downtown as a
convention
destination. With
more than $10 billion in tourism dollars spent annually in Indiana
contributing
more than $1 billion in
state and local taxes, bringing the upscale DoubleTree by Hilton brand
to
downtown South Bend will positively impact Indiana's economy.
Rebranding this property as a DoubleTree by Hilton — with its
Hilton
HHonors® member program, signature Sweet DreamsTM by
DoubleTree Sleep Experience, DoubleTree breakfast plus the new Bakers
restaurant, lobby lounge, full-service Starbucks with patio, expansive
fitness
center, new business center, property-wide WiFi and an added boardroom
—
travelers and the local community will be immediately drawn to the
facility.
The more customers the DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend attracts, the
bigger
economic the impact it will make on downtown establishments and
entertainment
venues.

— Lara Latture, THG Executive
Vice President and
Principal

Q: Who is The Hotel Group and
why are they committed to this
project, South Bend and DoubleTree?

THG: The Hotel Group is a
nationally recognized Top 40 hotel company with expertise
in owning and managing hotels in university markets such as South Bend.
The
company has a long track record of turning around distressed properties
and
making them profitable. Not only does THG own
and manage eight Hilton properties, but we have received the Hilton
Hotels
"Developer of the Year” award and “Best Conversion” award for the
extensive renovations of two DoubleTree by Hilton properties. These
awards
signify THG's commitment to Hilton standards and the DoubleTree brand.
THG is
also committed to retaining much of the existing hotel's staff, some of
whom
have been with the property for more than 30 years. In addition, THG is
committed to the community, with General Manager Chris Johnson active
in local
Chamber of Commerce events and sitting on the Downtown South Bend Board
of
Directors. DoubleTree by Hilton is a global collection of upscale
hotels
in more than 275 gateway cities. The brand is devoted to creating a
rewarding
experience for its hotel guests, its team members and the communities
it
proudly serves -- very synergistic to the THG operating philosophy. The
DoubleTree by Hilton hospitality experience begins with a warm
chocolate chip
cookie upon arrival and continues with an award-winning Hilton HHonors
guest
loyalty program and an array of fine services and amenities that will
be a
compelling incentive to travelers from around the world, enabling the
DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend to quickly dominate the market.

— Katherine Steed, THG Director
of Marketing

Q: Where is the
investment coming from for this project and what is the anticipated
return on
investment?

THG: THG
is financing over 60%, representing more than $8 million of the
rebranding and
renovation project; the remainder of the renovation cost was provided
through
the City of South Bend’s escrow account. The return
on investment will come from increased occupancy and an increase in
retail
spending in the city by DoubleTree by Hilton guests.

— Lara Latture, THG Executive
Vice President and Principal

Q: What is the renovation
plan?

THG: The DoubleTree
by
Hilton South Bend will receive an extensive, top-to-bottom renovation,
including all guestrooms and corridors, lobby, meeting space, atrium,
food and
beverage outlets, and replacing mechanical equipment and HVAC units as
needed.
The design inspiration behind Bakers restaurant comes from Studebaker
automobiles, as South Bend once served as manufacturing home to this
classic
car. Lobby design will take its inspiration from the University of
Notre Dame,
featuring subtle
collegiate colors and displaying wood, books, and contemporary
furnishings to
fit with the overall look of the architectural elements. Other
enhancements
include a Starbuck's store, resurfaced pool, a lobby pantry vs. the
former gift
shop, and a clean-edge appearance to the atrium. A
model guestroom is being constructed in the hotel lobby to showcase all
design
elements and furnishings. The display will be completed by August 20.

— Robert Avila, THG Director of
Operations

Q: What is THG's
vision for this project?

THG: The DoubleTree
by
Hilton South Bend will quickly become the place to be in downtown. With
the atrium connecting the hotel
to the 150,441-square-foot 1st Source Bank building, THG anticipates
drawing
significant business from building tenants, including bank employees.
The new
Bakers restaurant, which will feature an expansive soup-and-salad bar,
is sure
to be a draw for the lunch crowd, and the new contemporary lounge is
very
suitable for anyone getting off work and looking for
a place to entertain clients or simply relax and unwind. Likewise, the
addition
of the new boardroom will provide an ideal location for neighboring
businesses
to conduct smaller meetings. Currently the DoubleTree by Hilton South
Bend
boasts more than 150,000 square feet of conference facilities capable
of
hosting groups of up to 600 guests. The hotel's direct connection with
the
Century Center makes it the ideal destination for convention goers, and
its
close proximity to the University of Notre Dame, Saint Mary's College,
College
Football Hall of Fame and Studebaker National Museum is a draw for
leisure
travelers, university visitors and sports fans from around the country.

— Lara
Latture, THG Executive Vice President and Principal

Q: Who is
running the hotel?

THG: The DoubleTree
by
Hilton South Bend is operating under the day-to-day direction of
General
Manager Chris Johnson, a Senior THG General Manager and 24-year
hospitality
veteran, and the regional supervision of THG Director of Operations
Robert
Avila, a 22-year hospitality veteran who works directly with general
managers
of THG-owned properties. With professional management in place,
operations at
the DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend will mean immediate improvements in
occupancy and brand loyalty, both of which directly affect downtown
economic
growth. It is the goal of the entire THG team to bring in new business
and
surprise those familiar with the previous property.

— Lara Latture, THG Executive
Vice President and
Principal

Q: How is THG giving back
to the local community?

THG: In 2006, THG
established the Good Neighbor Program to formalize its long-standing
commitment to partner with non-profit organizations in communities
where their
hotels operate. All THG properties participate in the Good Neighbor
Program and
our employees are actively seeking
ways to support their local communities. The DoubleTree by Hilton South
Bend is
no exception. To date, our hotel has donated hundreds of items,
including
linens and terry products, pillows, comforters, soaps, shampoos and
more to
charitable groups in the community. Neighboring groups receiving these
items
include: The Hope Rescue Mission, Center for the Homeless, Goodwill
Industries,
Salvation Army, St. Margaret's House, St. Vincent de Paul, The Upper
Room and
the YWCA. In the future, additional items from kitchen utensils to
furnishings,
fixtures and equipment will be donated to deserving charities. In
addition, the
DoubleTree by Hilton South Bend is the exclusive hotel sponsor of the
South
Bend Silver Hawks Minor League baseball club, a Class A affiliate of
the
Arizona Diamondbacks and philanthropic supporter of the community
through
donations to fundraising and non-profit events.

— Chris Johnson, DoubleTree
by Hilton South Bend General
Manager

About
The Hotel Group
THG is a nationally recognized Top 40 hotel company and currently
manages and/or owns 25 properties in 10 states, representing
10 brands and employs more than 1,600 people. Since its inception in
1984, THG
has managed more than 110 properties in
20 states, directed the design and construction of 35 new hotels,
completed the acquisition of more
than $150 million in private investment as the sponsor of Hotel Group
Opportunity
Funds I, II, III and IV. For more information, visit www.thehotelgroup.com
or call
425-771-1788.

About
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotels
With a fast-growing
global collection of contemporary, upscale hotels in more than 275
gateway
cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations across five
continents,
every little thing we do at DoubleTree by Hilton inspires us to create
a
rewarding experience for our hotel guests, our team members and the
communities
we proudly serve. Our hospitality begins with a warm chocolate
chip
cookie welcome upon arrival and continues with the award-winning Hilton
HHonors
guest loyalty program, an array of fine services and amenities and our
longstanding CARE Culture tradition that empowers more than 65,000 team
members
to provide the special comforts and acts of kindness that make the
traveler
feel human again.

About
Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is
the leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector
from
luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and
mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business
and
leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and
value.
The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing
exceptional
guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of
more
than 3,800 hotels and timeshare properties, with 630,000 rooms in 88
countries
and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels &
Resorts,
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites
Hotels,
Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2
Suites by
Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the
world-class
guest reward program Hilton HHonors®.